Home Solar Power Systems – Do Solar Panel and Power for Homes make
Sense?

How to Evaluate Home Solar Power Systems – is using them for Solar Power for Homes a good idea? Does your House price rise? The truth and true Cost of Solar Power…and the financial benefits

What is the true cost of Solar Power? Is it worth it? What are the real Solar energy Costs?

Solar Energy is supported by governments all around the world. In the US the funding has even been improved. For actual information about US tax incentives for Home Solar Power Systems go to DSIREUSA.org.

There are many pros for switching to Solar Power for Homes. For example the high reliability of Solar Systems. Or can you think of any standard electrical or heating system that comes with a 20-30 year guarantee? I cannot.

But Solar Panels do have no moving parts, so nothing can break.

Yes, over time they loose some efficiency, but are far from being malfunctioning, even after years of every day delivery.

Also prices for fossil fuels will explode. And if my belief that we will actually see a global cooling (see for example Climate Change Evidence) in the coming years is correct, the costs for fossil fuels will explode.

If so you will be really happy and thank me for having left the (over strained)Grid.

So a main argument is energy independence. If the global cooling was very bad all you would have to do is to shovel the snow from your panels. 🙂

And energy costs in the US have risen about 3.75% annually. The average household pays about 170 USD to 200 USD every month just for electricity.

So if we assume you pay 200 USD/month, after 20 years your monthly utility bill will be about 400 USD/month.

The sun will not get more expensive.

So in order to see if Home Solar Power Systems make sense for you – and if you are in the US – please use the calculator to the left.

If you are in another part of the world, you can use the link on Solar Panel Cost to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to calculate how much Solar Power you can expect in your area – instructions included there, but please stay with us here first.

Enter your Zip code so the tool can calculate your solar power potential and list the possible utility companies. Then choose “Residential” for your usage.

“Offset” means how much percent of your utility bill you want to switch to solar power… I assume 100 %?

Now take your (monthly) utility bill and fill out the kWh you need per month. Alternatively you can enter your monthly amount invoiced.

I would suggest that you take the darkest month of the year for the data. You need to sit in the dark during peak demand.

The calculator now tells you what to expect (please remember that this is only a tool, speak to a pro in your area for a detailed analysis.

I did a calculation for Sarasota, FL (I love it), 100 kWh per month and had this result:

System specifications for: Sarasota, FL

Utility: XXXXX

Solar Radiance: Solar radiance (insolation) is the amount of solar energy received on a given surface area in a given time. Commonly expressed in kilowatt-hours per square meter per day (kWh/sq m/day). This measurement varies based on weather and latitude of the given location. 5.44 kWh/sq m/day

Avg. Monthly Usage: This is the amount of electricity you consume on average every month. It is either determined by your input or approximated by your electricity bill divided by the cost per kilowatt hour in your area ($0.11695/kWh). 100 kWh/month

System Size: This approximation is for a system to produce enough electricity to offset 100% of your yearly usage. It is determined by taking your avg. daily usage, and dividing that by your (solar radiance x 80%). The 80% is used for the inherent inefficiencies in solar power systems (95% inverter inefficiency, 89% weather impact, 95% inefficiency due to soiling, utility, and module inefficiencies). 0.76 kW

Roof Size: Approximate roof size needed to accommodate your solar power system can be determined by taking the size of the system and dividing by 10 to get the square footage (10 watts/sq ft). 76 sq ft

Estimated Cost: The approximate cost is an estimation based on a price of $X.00/watt. This is the average rate, including parts and installation, for systems above 2kW. $XXXXXX

Post Incentive Cost: The post incentive cost is an estimation based on the available credits/rebates for your area. This may include kWh production incentives for up to 25 years if applicable in your area. This provides an approximation of the local/state incentives, and should only be used as an approximation. $XXXXXX

It also gives you an overview of the (US) tax incentives, potential savings and the potential improvement of your carbon footprint.

A very nice tool.

But there is also another argument in favor of Home Solar Power Systems:

There are strong indications that the worth of your property rises the less you spend on electricity per year.

And the factor is pretty strong.

Between 20:1 and 30:1. Means: If you had 200 USD/month in electricity and would completely offset that with free solar energy, you would save $2400 per year in utility bills.

Assuming a factor of 20:1 your property would gain $48.000 in worth. Instantly.

I assume this will push the argument strongly in favor of Home Solar Power Systems.